Yell created Frisco Gives Back on March 29 to put out a call for thank-you cards and donations for gift cards to those on the front lines in the city amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Three weeks in, the group has donated hundreds of thank-you and gift cards to Frisco’s doctors and nurses and its fire department, has hosted a cheer at Medical City Frisco and has grown to nearly 800 members.
Yell said her first calls to the community were for gift cards to provide meals for all 27 shifts at Frisco Fire and $10 gift cards for all nurses and doctors at Medical City Frisco’s COVID-19 unit.
“We weren't through with the first week, and both of those needs were met,” she said.
As another way to give back to Frisco, all donated gift cards come from local businesses, Yell said.
“We’re loving on medical workers but supporting local businesses,” she said. “It seemed like a win-win of ways to love and support our community.”
Yell ended up getting in contact with Texas Health Frisco and collected 85 thank-you cards and gift cards for that hospital’s COVID-19 unit as well, she said. Shortly after that, 50 more thank you cards and gift cards went out to staff Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.
“I’ve been overwhelmed in the best way possible,” Yell said.
Once Frisco Gives Back surpassed 500 members, Yell organized a cheer April 14 for Medical City Frisco medical staff during their shift change.
With Frisco Fire trucks present, residents and families honked their horns and cheered from their cars. Around 50-70 cars filled up the parking lot and an adjacent grassy area, Yell said.
“We’re all in this. We’re all quarantining. This is our reality right now, and everybody wants to do something,” Yell said. “I think this has given an outlet to people that want to do something and want to love on our amazing community.”
Yell said the group’s next steps include donating cards to Baylor Scott & White—Centennial staff and creating gift baskets and cards for Frisco Police staff.
The next shift change cheer will occur April 20 at Texas Health Frisco at 6:45 p.m., Yell said.
While the support behind Frisco Gives Back is more than Yell was initially expecting, she said it is representative of Frisco's families and communities.
“It doesn’t surprise me because Frisco is pretty amazing,” she said.
